News

Delta, Edo Oil Producing Communities Demand Climate Justice, Halt To Exploration

Published

3 years ago

September 30, 2023

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

People from oil producing communities in Edo and Delta states Friday, September 29, 2023 converged in Benin under the umbrella – People’s Assembly – to demand for environmental justice in their communities.

INFO DAILY reports that the meeting known as African Peoples Counter COP was organised by Ecological Actions Advocacy Foundation with support from African Climate Collective.

INFO DAILY also reports that four oil and gas producing communities from Edo and one from Delta State attended the climate justice meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, one of the guest speakers and environmental activist, Comrade Cadmus Atake Enade, said over the years climate change has been in centre stage of discussion particularly in government but unfortunately the people directly affected are not being carried along, hence the meeting.

While lamenting that “extractive activities have destroyed the environment and climate of oil bearing communities,” Enade said yet “over time, we have discovered that climate change issues have always been at the centre stage of discussion politically, but even as at that the people are not being carried along.”

He added: “They want their voices to be heard; they want inclusion in government decisions when it comes to the environment. They want reparation from the government, and then communities where extractive activities are ongoing should be halted.”

“So, this is an avenue to aired their voices; they are using the medium to tell the whole world that they are suffering and that they demand climate justice.”

Also speaking, another environmental activist and youth leader, Akiri Murphy, said due to the operations of the ‘Warri Refinery’ sited in Ekpan community, residents of the community and other neighbouring communities are “seriously suffering.”

According to him, the Petrol Chemical plant and other machines in the refinery are obsulate thereby emitting soot and making life unbearable for the residents.

He said: “The Refinery Petrol Chemical plant emitts Carbon Black (soot) into the community, and the worse, this plant is being put on at midnight, thereby polluting the whole area. This has affected the health of residents of the community.

“The water which is their only source of drinking and fishing is being affected by the soot.

“The waste from the Warri Refinery also goes into the Ubeji community water thereby affecting them. Most of the people are into fishing but because of the impact they can no longer fish. They need to travel far before they can catch fish.

“The Federal Government should fix the refinery. The machines in the refinery need refurbish. The Petrol Chemical Machine is completely dead, it needs replacement. Fixing the refinery will reduce the pollution and enable the people in the area to live a better life.”

Also, Mrs Elizabeth Eyo, from oil producing community in Edo State, while calling for climate justice particularly for oil and gas producing communities, said “we want a situation where people from oil producing communities benefit hugely from oil exploration.”

She said: “The government should know that people living in oil producing communities can no longer farm due to exploration. Most of the people in these oil producing communities are either famers or fishermen. The government should bear in mind that these people need to feed, earn a living. So, the government should do something about this so they too can live a meaningful life.

“The bad water occasioned by oil exploration is affecting the reproductive health of the women. “

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

48 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

1 hour ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.